2-trifluoromethyl-4-chlorobenzalchloride and 2-methyl-3-nitro-5-chlorobenzotrifluoride useful as intermediates for preparing 2-methyl-3-aminobenzotrifluoride

Abstract

2-Trifluoromethyl-4-chloro-benzalchloride and 2-methyl-3-nitro-5-chlorobenzotrifluoride, are intermediates in a process of preparing 2-methyl-3-aminobenzo-trifluoride. In this process, 2-trifluoromethyl-4-chlorobenzal-chloride is prepared by chlorinating o-trifluoromethylbenzalhalide, and 2-methyl-3-nitro-5-chlorobenzotrifluoride is prepared at first by hydrogenating the 2-trifluoro-methyl-4-chlorobenzalhalide to form a 2-methyl-5-monochlorobenzotrifluoride and then by nitrating the 2-methyl-5-monochlorobenzotrifluoride. Following this process, 2-methyl-3-aminobenzotrifluoride (MA-BTF) is prepared by hydrogenating the 2-methyl-3-nitro-5-chlorobenzotrifluoride. The thus prepared 2-methyl-3-aminobenzotrifluoride is useful as an intermediate in preparing medicines, agricultural chemicals and other chemical products.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. 2-Trifluoromethyl-4-chlorobenzalchloride prepared by chlorinating o-trifluoromethylbenzalhalide. 
     
     
       2. 2-Methyl-3-nitro-5-chlorobenzotrifluoride prepared by a process comprising the steps of: (a) chlorinating o-trifluoromethylbenzalhalide to form a 2-trifluoromethyl-4-chlorobenzalhalide;   (b) hydrogenating said 2-trifluoromethyl-4-chlorobenzalhalide to form a 2-methyl-5-monochlorobenzotrifluoride; and   (c) nitrating said 2-methyl-5-monochlorobenzotrifluoride to form said 2-methyl-3-nitro-5-chlorobenzotrifluoride.